Steve McLaughlin finished his four-year career at the University of Arizona by finally winning the 1994 Lou Groza Award. The record-setting Wildcat finished the year making 23 field goals and earned All-American honors. McLaughlin displayed his accuracy by making all 26 extra points that he attempted. He also liked to showcase his explosiveness, as he made field goals from 53 and 54 yards away. McLaughlin tied a school record by kicking at least three field goals in four games. McLaughlin finished his career in Tucson by placing third on the school’s all-time scoring chart with 278 points. The St. Louis Rams drafted him in the third round of the 1995 NFL Draft.

Graham Gano, a senior from Pensacola, Florida, was slated to become the first kicker in Bobby Bowden’s 33 years at Florida State to handle field goals, kick-offs and punts until two weeks before the start of the Seminoles’ season when he tore the meniscus in his right knee. After surgery and rehab, Gano was back on the field after missing just two games. He lined up for the first field goal attempt of his collegiate career from 52 yards, and missed that kick. It would be 55 days before he missed another field goal. Graham went on to make an FSU record 18 consecutive field goals, including five straight attempts from 50 yards or more. He is the only kicker in school history to convert over 90% of his field goals in a season.